An episode of Celebrity Big Brother was Ofcom’s most complained about TV show of the decade, figures from the broadcasting watchdog reveal.
The communications regulator has published a list of the shows that sparked the most complaints from viewers over the past 10 years.
More than 25,000 people complained about an episode of Channel 5’s Celebrity Big Brother in 2018 which saw Roxanne Pallett allege assault by her fellow contestant Ryan Thomas.
It accounted for half of all broadcasting complaints in 2018.
The second most complained about show was an episode of ITV’s Loose Women featuring Kim Woodburn, who left the set in tears after a row with Coleen Nolan.
The episode prompted 7,912 complaints in total. Following an investigation, Ofcom later ruled that the incident did not breach broadcasting guidelines as it was in line with “what regular viewers would have expected of a live edition of Loose Women.”
The watchdog’s top 10 list is dominated by reality shows and news programmes.
A Channel 4 programme about UKIP received 6,187 complaints as some viewers suggested that its portrayal of the political party was misleading, while segments on Sky News and Channel 4 news also feature on the list.
Love Island comes in seventh place after 2,644 viewers complained when Dani Dyer became distressed after watching a clip of her then-boyfriend Jack Fincham reuniting with his ex-girlfriend in Casa Amor.
“People expect particular standards from TV and radio shows,” Ofcom’s Director of Content Standards Tony Close wrote in a blog post.
“Quite rightly, they feel passionately about programmes and want to have their say.
“Ofcom’s job is to hear those views and protect the public from harmful and offensive content.”
Close said that Ofcom “examine the context that content was presented in - including the type of programme, the channel it was on and the time of broadcast” when assessing complaints.
Ofcom’s most complained-about TV shows of the decade
1. Celebrity Big Brother, Channel 5
25,327 complaints between August 30 and September 1, 2018.
2. Loose Women, ITV
8,002 complaints (7,912 related to interview with Kim Woodburn), August 29, 2018.
3. UKIP: The First 100 Days, Channel 4
6,187 complaints, February 16, 2015.
4. Sky News
3,463 complaints over Tommy Robinson interview, September 27, 2018.
5. The X Factor, ITV
2,868 complaints over performances by Rihanna and Christina Aguilera, December 11, 2010.
6. Channel 4 News, Channel 4
2,717 complaints over Jon Snow’s remark that he had “never seen so many white people in one place” at a Brexit protest, March 29, 2019
7. Love Island, ITV2
2,644 complaints over Dani Dyer’s emotional distress, July 1, 2018
8. The Wright Stuff, Channel 5
2,358 complaints over Matthew Wright and guest’s remarks over a murder case between December 6 and December 8, 2011.
9. Big Brother, Channel 5
2,024 complaints over comments from contestants, June 24, 2015.
10. Sky News with Kay Burley, Sky News
1,838 complaints over Burley’s interview with Chief Executive of Merlin Entertainment Nick Varnet, June 5, 2015.
